Saed Hindash/The Star-LedgerDevils teammates Travis Zajac (left) and Zach Parise have risen their level of play thus far in the postseason.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- It is on the big stage of the Stanley Cup playoffs that players forge their reputations. They may already have been great talents, but they do not become true stars until they excel in pursuit of the greatest trophy of all.

If the first three games of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal series between the Devils and Carolina Hurricanes is any indication, this may be the spring that Zach Parise and linemate Travis Zajac become major stars.

Zajac, the lanky center iceman, scored the overtime goal in Game 3 which has given the Devils a 2-1 lead over the Hurricanes entering tonights fourth game at the RBC Center.

Parise, his 24-year-old left winger, has five points, including a goal in each of the three games. He has been the single most dominant player in the series.

"They are clearly playing exceptionally well," Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said Monday. "They have such great hands, but I think their work ethic is probably what they bring every night. We have to try and match that and understand when they have the puck were not looking to steal it to go to offense. We're just looking to shut them down."

Easier said than done. The Hurricanes spent the off day discussing strategy and part of that was how they might stop Parise and Zajac.

Maurice was asked if he might assign a player to shadow Parise.

"We need to do a better job. Im not sure we need a shadow," he said.

The fact that shadowing Parise might even be a consideration is evidence of the respect he now commands.

"I just think that Zach's ability to fight through stuff and his determination to get things done is very high," Devils coach Brent Sutter said.

Although he scored 45 goals this season, Parise has yet to be shadowed as an NHL player.

"A couple of times in high school and college," he said. "It makes it a little more difficult, but there are ways around it."

He said he would be surprised if the Hurricanes tried that tactic.

"I would be," Parise said. "I think there's more to this team than one player. I would be surprised."

The Devils are indeed a balanced team, but there is little doubt that Parise and Zajac have assumed prominent roles. To some of the veterans, like goalie Martin Brodeur, their rise has been impressive.

"Oh yeah, just the ice time, the responsibilities and the plays they make. That's something that wasn't there last year," Brodeur said. "It's just fun to see them evolve the way they've evolved.

"This is a great place for young players to play with New Jersey. You dont feel that pressure. They have a support cast to surround their talent. That's what this organization has provided them with to a certain extent. But you've got to give them a lot of credit. They stepped up to the challenge. It is their team now to take to the next level."

A year ago the loss of Jamie Langenbrunner, their linemate and sage, might have had a negative effect on the two young forwards. Langenbrunner will miss his second game with a lower body injury, but Parise and Zajac didnt miss a beat with Brian Rolston at right wing.

"They're such highly-competitive kids and, obviously, such an important part of our hockey team," Sutter said. "Was I concerned? I don't think I was concerned. You're waiting to see if someone can fit in to play with both of them. You're not concerned about the way theyre going to play. You're more concerned about whos going to fit in and mesh with the two of them. I thought Rolie did a great job of that."

Zajac believes Parise has reached that point in his career where he is capable of changing a playoff series almost by himself.

"I think he's capable of doing that," Zajac said. "He's the type of player who expects to be great and he has been for us. He's doing his part to make it happen."

Only a star could do that. Sutter was asked if Parise is in that category.

"He's certainly one of the top players in the league," the coach said. "Whatever category people want to put him in is fine. Most importantly, the league itself and the players in the league know what he is."

Parise was too modest to acknowledge being a star.

"When I think of stars," he said, "I think of Crosby, Malkin and Ovechkin."